Tag Archive for: Progress

Step by Step

The dictionary says that to walk means to move along on foot or advance by steps.
In life, people take many kinds of walks.
As we walk, we advance 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 π’ƒπ’š 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑.
The greatest of life’s rewards coming from walking along the right paths.
Jesus Christ recommended the strait and narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).
We are encouraged to become like Him, β€œto walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6).
Becoming like Jesus Christ will not happen in an instant, it happens gradually, 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 π’ƒπ’š 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑.
He will guide us in our walk, at the right speed, in the right direction.
As we walk, we learn to control our thoughts and behaviour.
It takes time, maybe even an entire lifetime and beyond.
It requires daily work and daily effort.
Small steps in the right direction can sometimes turn out to be the biggest steps in our life.
All it takes, is one small step.
Becoming like Him is a slow, steady, and sure process.
The Apostle Paul taught, β€œFor we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Having faith in Jesus Christ will help us move forward, even if we’re unsure of the next step.
Step by step, inspiration will come.
Step 1, say to yourself, β€œI can follow Him.”
Step 2, speak to a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is a process you can start today, one step at a time.
Answers are only one step away.

Work in Progress

Are you satisfied with where you are now?
Preparing for the day ahead, it struck me that I’m a work in progress.
Later this morning, I’ll be working with missionaries to help each one of them to become a better missionary… I guess, a few, like me who are also, a work in progress.
Deep down I think we may all see ourselves as a work in progress, whether we admit it to ourselves or not.
Isn’t each of us a work in progress in the hands of God?
Progress means moving forward even when we encounter difficulty along the way.
I’m allowing myself to be a work in progress.
And you can, too.
How are you a work in progress?

Scaling

β€œOn a 𝐬𝐜𝐚π₯𝐞 of 1 to 10, where do you currently rate yourself?”.
As a coach and mentor, frequently I use the π’”π’„π’‚π’π’Šπ’π’ˆ approach to measure progress.
As the coach, it can provide me with some really valuable insight into the coachee, their thinking and where they are at a given point in time with any specific situation.
Here are some examples:
On a 𝐬𝐜𝐚π₯𝐞 of 1 -10…
…to what degree have you made progress towards this goal?
…how satisfied are you in this area?
…how determined are you to take this action.
There are always powerful benefits of π’”π’„π’‚π’π’Šπ’π’ˆ too in turn for the coachee, by helping them to assess their position in relation to their ideal outcome i.e. their 10/10.
Many follow up questions usually follow on, as I probe further in any given situation where someone is trying to progress…
For example here is one situation to consider:
β€’ You said that you were a 3 in regard to your confidence when providing feedback to your team member.
β€’ Tell me what makes it a 3 for you, what is your experience?
β€’ What does it feel like being a 3?
β€’ What are you thinking about as a 3?
β€’ What are the reasons for a 3?
β€’ What feedback have you had to suggest you might be a 3?
β€’ What are the reasons you are a 3 as opposed to a 7?
β€’ What’s the difference for you?
β€’ …….And many other questions follow on too!
It is more important to focus on the differences and then on the progress that can be made.
I have found π’”π’„π’‚π’π’Šπ’π’ˆ to be a particularly helpful tool and use it frequently…
It’s great to try it out!
How can you apply this tool in your coaching conversations?

Signs of Progress

How do you measure progress?
After 9 weeks of immersion in the culture of Belgium and the Netherlands, something significant, yet very subtle happened in my head this week.
For several weeks, I hear the Dutch language and then translate what I hear into English.
In order to respond, I then translate my English thinking into Dutch.
This week though, things started to change – just a little.
I am beginning to think in Dutch… πŸ™‚
What a difference it makes!
The result?
I am even struggling to recall some simple English words and replacing them with Dutch ones!
The transition is starting to happen!
Don’t get me wrong, I have still lots of learning, but genuinely feel after some tough weeks, that I am making some progress.
So how do you measure progress?
…One day at a time! And then recognising the change.
When I’m dreaming in Dutch – that will be a real sign!
And for our new missionary arrivals next week, remember to speak it every day – that is so crucial. There is hope!!